North Korea Readies Troops Over Broadcasts, Threatens Attack

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un ordered his troops to enter a "wartime state" Friday and warned of military action from Saturday unless South Korea stops blaring propaganda over loudspeakers at the border.

In a steady ratcheting up of tensions, South Korea's defense ministry responded that it would "strongly retaliate against any kind of North Korean attacks," Yonhap news agency reported.

The standoff came after the North Korean military allegedly fired a projectile at a loudspeaker on Thursday. South Korean forces fired dozens of artillery shells back in response, officials said.

"Psychological warfare against [North Korea] is, in essence, an open act of war against it," North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency said in a statement Friday.

Loudspeakers that South Korea has installed at a unidentified site on the western front bordering North Korea. South Korea Defense Ministry / EPA
The statement said the situation "is now inching close to the brink of a war."

Kim Jong Un ordered his army to "enter a wartime state to be fully battle ready to launch surprise operations and the area along the front be put in a semi-war state" from 5 p.m. Friday (4:30 ET), state-run media said.

North Korea has given has given South Korea until Saturday afternoon to stop the broadcasts, warning of "strong military action."

"There is a possibility of North Korea launching provocations of a certain kind after 5 p.m. [Saturday]," South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said, according to Yonhap.

A South Korean military official told Reuters the broadcasts would continue.

A week later, South Korea began using loudspeakers to broadcast anti-Pyongyang rhetoric across the western and central parts of the border, resorting to a practice suspended by both sides since 2004.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said it was closely monitoring the situation. Of the projectile fired at the loudspeaker, Kirby said, "these kinds of provocative actions only heighten tensions, and we call on Pyongyang to refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and security."

Tensions are rising again on the Korean peninsula after North and South Korea briefly exchanged heavy-arms fire in an escalation of confrontation. Here’s what to know about what’s going on this time around.

What’s happening between the Koreas?
South Korea fired dozens of artillery rounds at a North Korean base that launched a rocket over the border on Thursday. North Korea threatened more attacks if South Korea doesn’t turn off loud speaker systems along the border that blast anti-Pyongyang propaganda into the North within 48 hours. Seoul says it won’t turn off the speakers.

Why is South Korea blasting propaganda into North Korea?
Seoul started the broadcasts in response to mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers on Aug. 4 on the southern side of the border. A United Nations investigation found North Korea responsible, but Pyongyang has denied involvement.

Why is North Korea responding to the propaganda broadcasts with force?
The broadcasts include criticism of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, which is considered the highest treason in the country. Experts say the North Korean military is compelled to respond in order to show loyalty to the leadership.

Is the confrontation likely to lead to war?
North Korea frequently makes threats that it doesn’t follow up on, but the unpredictability of young leader Mr. Kim adds to the risk of the latest confrontation spiraling out of control. South Korea has also loosened its restrictions on military force against North Korea following a deadly attack in 2010.

What are the key things to watch for now?
The North Korean deadline is 5 p.m. local time on Saturday, so if the speaker systems are still in operation there is a risk that North Korea may attack again. However, it has also made an offer of talks with Seoul that may help find a solution to the standoff.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un ordered his troops to enter a "wartime state" Friday and warned of military action from Saturday unless South Korea stops blaring propaganda over loudspeakers at the border.

In a steady ratcheting up of tensions, South Korea's defense ministry responded that it would "strongly retaliate against any kind of North Korean attacks," Yonhap news agency reported.

The standoff came after the North Korean military allegedly fired a projectile at a loudspeaker on Thursday. South Korean forces fired dozens of artillery shells back in response, officials said.

"Psychological warfare against [North Korea] is, in essence, an open act of war against it," North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency said in a statement Friday.

Loudspeakers that South Korea has installed at a unidentified site on the western front bordering North Korea. South Korea Defense Ministry / EPA
The statement said the situation "is now inching close to the brink of a war."

Kim Jong Un ordered his army to "enter a wartime state to be fully battle ready to launch surprise operations and the area along the front be put in a semi-war state" from 5 p.m. Friday (4:30 ET), state-run media said.

North Korea has given has given South Korea until Saturday afternoon to stop the broadcasts, warning of "strong military action."

"There is a possibility of North Korea launching provocations of a certain kind after 5 p.m. [Saturday]," South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said, according to Yonhap.

A South Korean military official told Reuters the broadcasts would continue.

A week later, South Korea began using loudspeakers to broadcast anti-Pyongyang rhetoric across the western and central parts of the border, resorting to a practice suspended by both sides since 2004.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said it was closely monitoring the situation. Of the projectile fired at the loudspeaker, Kirby said, "these kinds of provocative actions only heighten tensions, and we call on Pyongyang to refrain from actions and rhetoric that threaten regional peace and security."